Safe Enough to Try: Lessons from Frontier Leaders Implementing AI
We've all heard about frontier AI models. But what about frontier leaders? This session is part of the Women Build Safety Challenge 2026, leading up to Human Rights Day on December 10.
When 30 leaders from 15 West Michigan nonprofits started Catalyze AI, they came with the questions many of us are still asking:
Where is it safe to use AI with the data of the people we serve?
Can I trust it with my email, my files and my voice?
Are we still in control?
What do we do when some staff won't touch it and others use it for everything?
What happens to the people whose work AI can now do?
In this live case study, you'll hear directly from those leaders and from their funder partner, Amway Corporate Philanthropy, about what made it safe enough to try and what changed when they did. You'll also see what trust-based philanthropy can look like when the subject is AI: a funder that invested in people's learning instead of software, sat at the table as a fellow learner, and used participants' feedback to reshape the second cohort. Live polls along the way will show how your experience compares with theirs.
You don't need to be an expert or have an AI plan to join us. Being a frontier leader doesn't mean having every answer or adopting everything new. It means helping shape what comes next with curiosity, care and commitment.
Everyone who registers receives the 2026 Catalyze AI Playbook for Frontier Leaders. Join us live and you'll also get:
What these leaders want people building AI to remember about learner safety
The Frontier Leaders Recap: what this room said in the live polls, side by side with the national research
Meet the speakers
Erica Curry VanEe is the founder and CEO of Urban Curry Consulting and creator of Catalyze AI. She brings 30 years in the social impact sector and a decade of teaching leadership at Grand Valley State University. She helps nonprofit, public sector and philanthropic leaders explore AI implementation while keeping people, values and mission at the center.
Jessica Denkelaar is the founder of Digital Rebel and leads Women Build Safety, a global community building AI tools for women's safety across physical, digital, economic and psychological dimensions. A web developer since 2006, she helps builders bring their ideas to life through her Vibe Code Like A Dev community. She co-hosts this session, opening with the Women Build Safety Challenge, leading audience questions and closing with how you can take part.
Monica Mendez partners with community organizations through Amway Corporate Philanthropy, including Catalyze AI. Previously, she led talent and leadership programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, including ATHENA Grand Rapids, Latina Connect and OutPro. Born and raised in Mexico, Monica is a passionate connector, advocate for human centered leadership and believer in helping others shine.
Dr. Keli Christopher is the Founder and CEO of STEM Greenhouse, a Michigan nonprofit expanding educational opportunities for underserved youth. A former engineer turned nonprofit leader, she has spent more than a decade building innovative programs, community partnerships and resources for educational equity. She is the 2024 West Michigan Woman of the Year and author of Nonprofit Ministry Mindset.
Erika Abbo serves as Chief Operating Officer of Kids’ Food Basket, helping strengthen the people, systems, and strategies that support the organization’s work to nourish children and families across West Michigan. As a Catalyze AI alum, she is exploring how the organization can continue to put AI to practical use in ways that are thoughtful, responsible, and grounded in mission.
More leaders to be announced.
For AI builders, nonprofit leaders, funders, consultants, and anyone helping people learn AI.
Can't make it live? Register anyway. We'll send you the playbook.